Counterbalanced lid support



H. E; VAN VOORHEE$ 2 2?,

/ COUNTERBALANCED LID SUPPORT Filed Jan. 25,1939 3 Sheets-Sheef s Fatented Fete. 2%, race UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COUNTERBALANCED LID surroa'r Harold E. Van Voorhees, Detroit, Mich.

Application January 23, 1939, Serial No. 252,363

23 Claims.

cal for one reason or another.. They were invariably too complicated and expensive for practical purposes, and were usually objectionable from the standpoint that if the spring tension was great enough to hold the lid in raised position, it was invariably too heavy at lower positions of the lid, so that it was awkward and unhandy to close and open the lid. It is therefore the principal object of my invention to provide simpler and more practical counterbalancing spring means designed to counterbalance the lid in all positions, so that it will stand motionless in whatever position the operator places it, whereby toavoid the objectionable features present in the old constructions.

The salient feature of the counterbalancing means of my invention is the provision of a torsion spring having one end extended ona tangent to provide a lever arm slidable on a stationary abutment with relation to which the torsion spring moves in the opening and closing of the lid, said abutment being so arranged that the spring unwinds as the lid is raised and winds as the lid is lowered, but the arm slides on the abutment during such movement to vary the leverage of the spring with relation to said abutment, so that the spring has a predetermined desired counterbalancing effect at each lid position regardless of its degree of wind or unwind, the spring actually having the greatest counterbalancing effect at approximately a mid-position between the two extreme positions of-the lid. Due to the fact that the point of application of the counterbalancing force shifts as the lid moves from one extreme position to the other, any'desired effect may be obtained, even to the extent of having the spring exert a negative force at one extreme and a positive force at the other extreme position with respect to counterbalancing the lid in its different positions.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Fig. 1 is a side view of the rear portion of an automobile, showing a counterbalanced lid support made in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on a larger scale with the lid support appearing in side elevation and with the lid shown closed;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in rear elevation and partly in section of the lid support taken on the I broken line 3,-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig. 2, but showing the lid in an intermediate position and in fully raised position:

Figs. 6 and"! are side views of two other lid supports embodying counterbalancing spring means made in accordance with my invention,

and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the front portion of an automobile, showing a hood support equipped with counterbalancing similarly as in Figs. 6 and '7.

Similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5, the reference numeral 9 designates the lugg e compartment of an automobile, and I0 its lid or door supported for hinging movement on a pair of my improved lid supports 'H to permit raising and lowering the lid. Each lid support comprises a bell-crank arm l2 pivoted at l3 on a bracket ll bolted or otherwise suitably secured by its attaching portions I! to the sheetmetal frame member ii of the body, the arm l2 carrying a counterbalancing torsion spring I1 arranged to be wound and unwound in spring means 0 the closing and opening movements of the lid 5 on the other end thereof for bolting the same.

to the edge portion of the lid, as at 22. The arm i2 is formed from two sheet metal stampings I21: and 12b welded or otherwise suitably secured together at the end portion 23, the pieces being ribbed longitudinally, as at 24, in this portion for added strength and rigidity. The pieces diverge at 25 to provide the spaced middle portions 26 between which the torsion spring I1 is mounted on a fixed stud 21. The stud 21 is slotted, as indicated at 28, to receive the inner end 2! of the spring H, and bears in an opening 30 in the arm piece lZa and is anchored in the other arm piece I2b in an embossed portion 3|, there being a reduced threaded end portion 32 on the stud projecting through a hole in the embossed portion 3| and having a nut 33 threaded thereon to fasten the same securely in place and without freedom to rotate. If desired, the opening 3llmay be formedwith diametrically opposed lugs projecting into the slot 28 to further aid in preventing rotation of the stud 21. The two pieces forming the arm i2 diverge further at 34 to provide a wider forked end portion 35 for pivotal connection with the bracket H. The latter is i'ormed by two sheet metal pieces 36 and 31, as clearly appears in Fig. 3. The abutment I9 is formed by a rivet entered through the downwardly projecting portions 20 and through a spacer collet 38 therebetween. The forked end portion 35 of th'arm l2 receives the downwardly projecting portion 20 of the bracket H, so that the projecting end l8 of the torsion spring I! rides on the collet 38. A spacer 39 is provided between the pieces 36 and 31 forming the bracket hi and has the pivot pin l3 entered therethrough and through the forked end portion 35 of the arm i2, making a unitary assembly. A hook 40 is preferably formed on the end of the arm I8 to limit sliding movement of the arm relative to the collet 38.

In operation, the spring I! is wound as the lid I is lowered'and is unwound as the lid is raised. However, it will be seen from a comparison of Figs. 2, 4 and 5 that, due to the location of the abutment l9 relative to the pivot l3 and spring support 21, the arm l8 slides relative to the abutment i9 to vary the effective reaction of the spring for different positions of the lid to give a predetermined desired counterbalancing effect in each position, so that the lid will stand motionless in whatever position the operator happens to leave it. There is therefore no difficulty or unhandiness in closing and opening the lid and no tendency for the lid to drop when it is raised as far as it will go. In other counterbalencing structures where the lid movement resulted in a proportionate winding up of the counterbaltoo heavy at the lower positions of the lid and too light at the upper positions. With the present construction, however, I avoid that objection by decreasing the effectiveness of the spring as the spring is wound, by shifting the point of application of the spring pressure farther and farther out on the arm l8. Then as the lid is raised and the spring is unwound, the point of application of the spring pressure shifts inwardly on the arm Hi to such an extent that in one instance the counterbalancing effect of the spring ll was equivalent to twenty-one pounds in the closed position (Fig. 2), twenty-five and one-half pounds in the mid-position (Fig. 4), and nineteen and one-half pounds in the raised position (Fig. 5). With that amount of counterbalancing force exerted on the lid in those three positions, it was found that the lid would stay wherever it was placed. In still another installation the device of the present invention affords approximately fifteen pounds counterbalancing force in the lower or slightly open position of the lid, whereas a force of approximately twenty pounds is obtained at a mid-position and about seventeen pounds in the full open position. It is clear, therefore, that almost any operating character istics can be obtained by proper selection of the torsion spring and selecting the proper location of the abutment 19 in radially spaced relation to the pivot H3. The counterbalancing force at the lower or slightly open position of the lid can be decreased to a point where there is little or no positive counterbalancing force obtained or even to the point where a negative counterbalancing results while still having the desired positive counterbalancing forces at a mid-position and a ull ewi e.

'ancing spring, the spring pressure was invariably The lid support Ha shown in Fig. 6 in connection with the lid "la is provided in addition to the lids hinges 4i hingedly supporting the same on the luggage compartment 9a. The lid support comprises an arm 42 pivoted at 43 on a bracket 44 for swinging movement past a stud l9a projecting laterally from the other side of the bracket. The stud slidably engages the end lBa of the counterbalancing torsion spring l'm mounted on the arm 42. The arm 42 has a pin and slot connection 45-46 with the lid Illa, and it should be evident that as the lid closes, the spring I la is wound and the arm |8a of the spring slides on the abutment Him to change the springs operating ratio similarly as in the case of the lid support H, previously described, whereby to counterbalance the lid so that it will remain motionless in any position in which it may be placed.

The lid support shown at H b in Fig. 7 in connection with the lid IDb is similar to the one just described, but in this case the arm 42a has a link connection 41 with the lid. The spring Ha has its end l8a cooperating with the abutment Na in the same manner as above described.

In Fig. 8, I have shown a hood 10c supported on links 48 and 49 at the opposite sides thereof, each such pair of links being supported on a bracket 50 carried on the body, and the link 49 being in spaced relation to the bracket so as to clear the stud l9b which projects from the bracket and serves as an abutment for the end l8b of the counterbalancing spring I'Ib carried on the link 49. Here again it is clear that as the hood is lowered, the two springs I'Ib at opposite sides of the hood are wound, and the ends lab thereof slide with respect to the abutments l9b to change the operating ratio of the springs with respect to the hood so as to counterbalance the hood and support the same motionless in any position in which it may be placed.

It is believed that the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn with a view to covering all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. The combination with a stationary part and a part pivoted for swinging movement with respect thereto by gravity, of counterbalancing means for supporting the pivoted part in equilibrium in raised positions, comprising a torsion spring mounted on the pivoted part in spaced relation to the pivot point and adapted to counterbalance the pivoted part by spring pressure against the stationary part, said spring having a pressure applying end extension, and an abutment for said extension on the stationary part which in the lowered position of said pivoted part is between but out of alignment with the pivot and spring mounting in a counterclockwise direction relative to the pivot as the parts are viewed from one side thereof, the spring in the raising of the pivoted part being movable in an are past said abutment with the pivot as a center and causing movement of its end extension relative to said abutment to automatically vary the counterbalancing effect of said spring, the abutment for said extension in the raised position of said pivoted part being between but out of alignment with the pivot and spring mounting in a clockwise direction relative to the pivot as the parts are viewed from the same side thereof.

2. The combination with a stationary part and a partpivoted with respect thereto for movement by gravity, of counterbalancing means for supporting the pivoted part in equilibrium in raised positions, comprising a torsion spring carried on one of said parts and adapted by its spring pressure against the other of said parts to counterbalance the pivoted part, said spring having a pressure applying end extension, and an abutment for said extension on the other of said parts which in the lowered position of the pivoted part is between but out of. alignment with the pivot and the spring mounting but which in the raising of the pivoted part approaches alignment with the pivot and spring mounting, whereby to cause relative movement between'the end extension of said spring and said abutment-to automatically vary the counterbalancing effect of said spring.

3. The combination with a stationary part and a part pivoted for swinging movement with respect thereto by gravity, of counterbalancing means for supporting the pivoted part in equilibrium in raised positions, comprising atorsion spring mounted on the pivoted part in spaced relation to the pivot point and adapted to counterbalance the pivoted part by spring pressure against the stationary part, said spring having a pressure applying end extension, and an abutment for said extension on the stationary part which in the lowered positionof said pivoted part is between but out of alignment with the pivot and spring mounting, the spring in the raising of the pivoted part being movable toward alignment with said pivot and abutment and causing movement of its end extension relative to said abutment to automatically vary the counterbalancing force of said spring, the end extension of said spring having a hook formation to limit relative movement between said extension and said abutment in one direction.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2, wherein the end extension of said spring has a hook formation to limit relative movement between said extension and said abutment in one direction.

5. A counterbalanced support for hinged raisable lids, hoods and the like, comprising a pair of relatively pivoted brackets, one of which is carried on the hinged part and the other on the support therefor, one of said brackets being of bell-crank form with the pivot at the end of one arm thereof and the same being attached to one of said relatively hinged parts at the end of the other arm, a spiral torsion spring carried on said bell-crank bracket at the Junction of the two arms thereof and having the inner end thereof fixed with respect to said bracket, said spring having the outer end extended tangentially for pressure application, and the other of said brackets having an abutment thereon for engagement with the outer tangential end of said spring in radially spaced relation to the point of pivotal connection between said brackets.

6. A counterbalanced support as set forth in claim 5, including a hook on the extremity of alignment, with the: pivot and spring in 8. A counterbalanced support as set forth in claim 5, wherein both of said brackets are bifurcated, said spring being supported in the bifurcated portion of the bell-crank bracket, and said abutment comprising a cross-member carried in the bifurcated portion of the other bracket and having the tangential outer endof the spring slidably engaging the same, the extremity of said tangential end portion being formed tofprovide a hook for limiting relative sliding vement between said cross-member and said spring injone direction. 7

9. A spring-hinge comprising lhingeme mb'ers pivoted together, a torsionspring on; oneof said members adapted by its spring pressure against the other of said members to resishrelative movement in onefdirection, said spring'havin'ga pres sure applying end 3 extension and an abutment for said extension on the other of said members, which in an extreme-position, of said inemb sis between but out of, alignment; H

connection and 'the spring mountin in the relative movementv of g-s aidj mem ward the opposite extreme position app whereby to cause relative-movement,between'the end extension of saidspring and said'a 'utment to automatically vary the counterae 'ng effect of said spring. M

10. A spring-hinge as set' forth'inqcl r9, wherein the end extension of said spring has a hook formation to limit-relative movement between said extension and said-abutment in one direction.

.11. A spring-hinge comprising hinge members pivoted together, oneof 'said members being of bell-crank form with the pivot. at the end of one arm thereof, a spiral torsion spring carried on said bell-crank hinge member at the junction of the two arms thereof and having the inner end thereof fixed with respect to said member, said spring having the outer end extendingtangentially for pressure application, and the other of said hinge members having an abutment thereon for engagement with;-the outer tangential .end of said spring in radially spaced relationto the point of pivotal connection between said h ge members. 1 e

12. A spring-hinge as set forth in claim 11, including a hook on the extremity of the tangential outer end of said spring for limiting relative movement between the abutment "and the spring in one direction.

13. Aspring-hinge as set forth in claim 11, wherein both of the hinge members are bifurcated,,sald spring being supported in the bifurcated portion .of the bell-crank hinge member,

and said abutment comprising a crossmember carried in the bifurcated portion of the other hinge member and havingthetangential outer end of the spring slidably engaging the same.

. 14. A spring-hinge as set forth in claim 11, wherein both of the hinge membersare bifurcated, said spring being supported in the bifurcated portion of the bell-crank hinge member, and said abutment comprising ,a cross-member carried in the bifurcated portion of the other hinge member and having the tangential outer end of the spring slidably engaging the same, the extremity of said tangential endportion being formed to provide a hook for limiting relative sliding movement between said cross-member and said spring in one direction.

15. A spring-hinge comprising hinge members pivoted together, a spring supported on on of said hinge members and arranged to be subjected to loading upon relative movement between said hinge members in one direction and a pressure application lever arm for transmitting pressure from the spring to the other hinge member, said arm extending from the spring and having amovable fulcrum engagement with said other hinge member so as to vary the counteracting effect of said spring diflerentially in the relative movement between the hinge members, the fulcrum being located in radially spaced relation to the pivot and spaced on one side of a line from the spring to the pivot when the hinge members are in one extreme position of relative pivotal movement and being spaced on the opposite side of said line when the hinge members are in the other extreme position of relative pivotal movement. l.

. 6- h q nflti b; ne. t q i ii p r nd 1" w wmsemaefi s b en e: mm a a relative,v th me b new: r'om' a r i e position in a substantially horizontal plane to a lowered position atanf acute angle to the new 1 means forsupp'ortirig dementia nta' in; equi ibrium, 1 t i ha r s an a a g r, t m iate.po i nuele iye w the was n an, emv s mm: ns me s counterbalance the weight c; said movable difl'erentially so as to exerttbe greatest counteri fi i m k? h ll' l ztg in? l .35 tion of the movable pert; saidsp ll fiavinga force transmitting lever arm, and an abutfiient relative to which said arm is slidable in the winging ofthe mov ble part d pose inr'adially spaced relation to the pivotal, sxis said abutment inoneextreme position of the movabl part being spaced on one side pt 9. line irom thesprins' m se h b vofiififlsfi d f t e h r e treme position ot the movable part being disposed eem he o i side 9 am. has .i. 17. Inc combination with a stationary part a part pivoted with respect thereto for movet bia di qd ai i ibn l t-em rof counter-balancing means for supporting the pivoted part in substantial equilibrium in a range a a s d P si ns .combfl a or on spring carried on one 01 said parts and adapted b'y its spring pressure against the other of said parts to counterbalance the pivoted part, said spring having an active end portion moved in the move mentor the pivoted part so that the spring winds i dawnwhrd m vem and w n m 'p mo em n gramm s retts ds a tm fixed in relation to the stationary part relative to which the active end portion of said torsion spring isinovably fulcrum'ed and moves in the movement of the pivoted part, said abutment be ing disposed in radially spa ed relation to the piv a a an t mentiri o mammation oi the movable part being spaced on one i e a us the th a ls: 6 e t r an t e new em. a s me P e position of the movable part being spaced onthe. opposite side of side ne, g r

18 A spring-hinge comprising hinge members pivoted together, a torsion spring on one of said members adapted by its spring pressureagainst the other of said members to resist relative movement in one direction, said springhaving a pressure applying end extension, and an abutment for said extension on the other of said members, which in one extreme position of said members is between the spring mounting and the point of pivotal connection of said members but spaced on the pivot point, but which in the opposite extreme position of said members is spaced on the opposite side of a line drawn from the pivot point to the spring mounting, whereby as said spring is wound its end extension is given greater leverage, and vice versa in the unwinding of said spring.

19. A spring-hinge comprising hinge members pivoted together, a torsion spring on one of said members adapted by its spring pressure against the other of said members to resist relative move ment in one direction, said spring having a pressure applying end extension, and an abutment for said extension on the other of said members, which in one extreme position of said members is betweenfthe spr mounting and the point or pivotal connection of said members but spaced on one side oi a line from the spring mounting totl ie' pivot point, but which in the opposite extreme position of said members is sp'a'ced on the opposide' sidej of a line drawnfrornthe pivot point the spring mounting, whereby said spring exerts a greater counteracting eifect at a certain intermediate'pbsltion than at least at one of the elc ie isfi i i 20'. A spring-hinge comprising hinge members pivoted together; it spring on one of said members arranged to be loaded in the relative movement oi said members in one direction and uhloaded in' the relative movement of said members in the opposite direction, a force transmitting lever arm for said spring acting against the other or said members, and an abutment fixed with reto said other member relative to which said lever ernri is n'iova'bly iulcrum'ed, said abutment in one extreme position of the hinge members being between the pivot point and the spring mounting spaced on one side of a line from the pivot point to' the spring mounting, but in theother extreme positionv of said members being located spaced on theopposite side of said line. whereby as said spring is loaded its force transmitting' lever arm isgiven greater leverage, and vice versa in the unloading of said spring.

I 21. A spring-hinge comprising hinge members pivoted together, a spring on one or said members arranged to be loaded in the relative movement oi said members in one direction and unloaded inthe relative movement of said members in the opposite direction, a force transmitting lever arm for said spring actingagainst the other of said members, and an abutment fixed with respect to said other member relative to which said lever arm is movably iulcrumed, said abutment in one extreme position or the hinge memhere being between the pivot point and the spring mounting spaced on one side of a line from the pivot point to the, spring mounting, but in the other extreme position of said members being located spaced on the opposite side of said line, whereby said spring has a greater counteracting efi'ect at a certain intermediate position of the hinge members their at least at one of the two extreme positions.

22. The combination with a stationary part and a part swingable on a substantially horizontal axis relative thereto by gravity from a raised position in a substantially horizontal plane to a lowered position at an acute angle to the horizontal, of means for supporting the movable part in equilibrium in its raised position and intermediate positions comprising a torsion spring mounted on one of said parts having a pressure applying end extending substantially tangentialone side of a line from the spring mounting to 1y therefrom, and an abutment on the other of said parts on which said pressure applying end is siidable in the swinging movement of the movable part. the abutment being so disposed in radially s ced relation to the pivotal axis and inrelation to the stationary and movable parts that in one extreme position oi! the movable part the abutment is spaced on one side of a line from the center of the torsion spring to the pivotal axis and in the other extreme position of the movable part the abutment is spaced on the opposite side of said line.

23. The combination set forth in claim 22, wherein the pressure applying end of said torsion spring has a hook formation for engagement with the abutment to limit relative movement between said pressure applying end" and said abutment in one direction.

HAROLD E. VAN VOORHEEg. 

